Apr 5 Surrendering It All

Learning to Surrender to God

I'm learning to let go of control. To stop chasing perfection. To live for the good stuff in life. I'm learning that perfection is an unrealistic idea that robs of us the moments that are in front of us. I'm learning to stop looking at others and where they are and start focusing on God and what He has planned for me.

Over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about surrendering to God. As someone who used to try to plan and control too many things, learning to sit with open arms and an open heart, listening for God’s plan hasn’t been easy. I wish I could say that it comes naturally to me. That I have always let God be in control. But if I’m being honest, it hasn’t always been that way. The old me hated to admit that I was imperfect, but I’m learning to embrace the imperfections and surrender my control to God.

Surrendering control

As a mom of a busy toddler and new baby, wife to a hardworking husband, and owner of a growing business, there are many opportunities to control. Many times I want things to be perfect, but they aren't. And that's the way it should be. Life happens in the imperfect, messy moments and I don't want to miss out on that. I want to live a life full of imperfect, messy moments and enjoy every second of it. I want to look back and know that my life was full of what really mattered. In the end, does it really matter if things are perfect? And what if they already are? What if you just need to embrace your life the way it looks now?

I have been a little bit of a control freak most of my life. Ok, maybe a lot. It has come out in my parenting, my marriage, and my daily life. But for a long time I didn’t look at it that way. I thought I was being diligent, getting things done, and making decisions. I felt like I was doing what I thought was right and making it happen. It wasn’t until I felt the aftershock of my controlling moments that I knew it was doing more harm than good. I realized that I was controlling even when I didn't know it. I don't mean this in a negative way. I wasn't intentionally trying to control everyone and everything. I was simply striving for what I thought I wanted. I was attempting to make things go the way I thought they should. But ultimately, I was making things harder on myself and everyone else. And when I stopped trying to control things into perfection and started embracing my life the way it is, things changed.

I am learning to be fully present in the moments of life that may not be picture perfect. And in this time I have found that my life is brighter, fuller, and overall happier. I am less busy, bossy, and stressed out. I am more relaxed, easygoing, and optimistic. My relationships are better. My life is simpler. Things are just easy. I stopped worrying about being in control and striving for that idea of perfection, and started focusing on the perfect things that God places in front of me every day. I learned to surrender my control to God’s because His way is so much better than anything we could ever imagine for ourselves.

Surrendering my plan

Instead of trusting in God and His plan, I was trying to force my own. Life wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t the way I envisioned it to be. It still isn’t. But I know that the way it is now is so much better than anything I could have ever planned for myself. This may not be what I wanted, but it is what God wants for me. I slowly realized that by focusing on Him and His plan, everything else would take care of itself. It’s still a work in progress, but I strive to do this now even in my daily tasks. I wake up now more ready to take on each day because I stopped trying to force my own plan for the day. Instead, I pray first thing in the morning for God to show me what He wants me to see that day, do what He wants me to do, and remember to live in the moment for what it is.

I used to get stressed out and overwhelmed so easily when things didn’t go as planned or scheduled. I still do. But I’m getting better at reminding myself that my to do list isn’t going anywhere, but this day is. And even if things don’t follow my plan each day, week, or year, I’m still working towards what really matters in my life. Surrendering my plan for God’s has been so freeing and given me such an amazing peace that I never thought possible.

Surrendering my heart

Learning to surrender to God has opened my heart to so much. I’ve experienced so much joy, peace, and understanding that has left me wanting more. Surrendering my control, my plan, and my heart has given me a freedom I never imagined. I see things differently. I understand things more. I know that He is always with me and always guiding me to where I need to go. Surrendering to God isn’t an easy thing. As humans, we naturally want to take control. But learning to let go of that grip and blindly following Him wherever He takes you is exactly the leap of faith He wants you to take.

I have a long way to go. It will probably always be a work in progress. But for now, I am content. I look to God first. I keep my arms open for Him and His plan, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

RACHEL GREEN, Designer, Writer, Encourager

I came across Rachel's instagram account and quickly connected with her on so many levels. She encourages me with her humble spirit and I am confident she will encourage you too. Here are some other places you can find Rachel: